DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-40,945

BARRY OF LAREDO
R.G. BARRY CORPORATION
LAREDO, TEXAS

Negative Determination Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273) as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act
of 1988 (P. L. 100-418), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of eligi-
bility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance,
each of the group eligibility requirements of Section 222 of the
Act must be met:
(1) that a significant number or proportion of the workers
in the workers' firm, or an appropriate subdivision
thereof, have become totally or partially separated, or
are threatened to become totally or partially separat-
ed;

(2) that sales or production, or both, of the firm or
subdivision have decreased absolutely; and

(3) that increases of imports of articles like or directly
competitive with articles produced by the firm or
appropriate subdivision have contributed importantly to
the separations, or threat thereof, and to the absolute
decline in sales or production.




The investigation was initiated on March 4, 2002 in response
to a petition filed by a company official on behalf of workers at
Barry of Laredo, Division of R.G. Barry Corporation, Laredo,
Texas. The workers produced components for the production of
slippers.
The investigation revealed that criterion (3) has not been
met.
The investigation revealed that all of the subject firm=s
production of components for slippers was exported. Workers
separations at the facility are primarily attributed to loss of
export sales. Exports of components for slippers produced by the
subject facility cannot be used as the basis for certification
under the Trade Act of 1974. In this case, increased imports of
components for slippers would be the only basis for
certification; in this case, there is no evidence that increased
imports of components for slippers have adversely affected the
employment at the subject facility.
A certification for NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance
has been issued on February 19, 2002 on behalf of workers at the
subject plant (NAFTA-5804).



Conclusion
After careful review, I determine that all workers of Barry of
Laredo, Division of R.G. Barry Corporation, Laredo, Texas are
denied eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance under
Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Signed in Washington, D. C. this 27th day of March, 2002.

/s/ Linda G. Poole
___________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance